Infloormation

Have you ever started your day with a good cup of coffee and then thought your day was ruined when you spilled coffee on your carpet? It’s happened to all of us, but all of us probably did not know how to properly treat a coffee stain on carpet!

Here’s how to solve the problem:

First, blot the stain with a clean white rag or paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.

You can use a detergent solution of 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of lukewarm water. You might be tempted to use a stronger solution to be sure that you remove the stain, but this is not necessary. What is necessary is a thorough rinse. This is important because you need to remove all of the detergent residue that may cause rapid soiling. You will need to rinse with warm water several times to ensure that you completely remove all of the residue. You also may be tempted to use the closest detergent that is near you, but you should NOT use laundry detergent. These detergents can contain fluorescent dyes that can dye the fiber. Another detergent to avoid is automatic dishwashing detergent because it may contain bleach that can destroy dyes and som fibers. To completely remove all of the moisture, weigh the towels down with a brick and allow it to dry. When the carpet is dry, remove the brick and brush the pile back up.

If you are not sure if the detergent you have is safe, you can use a vinegar solution. For this, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.

When in doubt -call a professional. If you do not want to take the chance of making any stain worse or ruining the chances of completely removing a stain, using a professional is never a bad idea. They have the knowledge, tools and equiptment to handle all types of stains and spills.

For video on carpet and other flooring maintenance, click here.

Have other spills? Send us a comment on what type of spill you need to remove and we will give you a solution!